Although almost every model has the ability to become a nice, trustworthy used SUV, the 2017 Toyota 4runner model year is the most trustworthy. The majority of vehicles in the fifth and current generation, which debuted in 2010, are powered by a 4.0 liter V6 engine. Consumers ranked the 2018 and 2017 models first, according to J.D. Power. The 2017 model, however, has a higher reliability score.
The 2017 Toyota 4Runner additionally received a J.D. Power Dependability Award. The reliability score for this capable pre-owned SUV is 88/100. The 4Runner gained a few trim levels in 2017 and now offers three TRD-branded variants.
Nevertheless, because 4Runner models retain their value well, even secondhand ones are frequently quite pricey. According to J.D. Power, a used Toyota 4Runner costs, on average, between $23,992 and $48,884.
In This Article...
Which model of Toyota 4Runner is the best?
4Runner TRD Pro 2022 The 4Runner TRD Pro is the best Toyota 4Runner configuration if you want the best driving experience possible. This 4Runner trim choice is off-road capable and offers the highest level of luxury and capability: $52,420 MSRP*
Which year is ideal for 4Runners?
A used Toyota 4Runner will cost less money than a new one. However, how could consumers pick the ideal model year? The majority of Toyota 4Runner model years are suggested. They all have high reliability scores overall. However, according to Consumer Reports, the greatest model years are 2001, 2006, 2007, and 2013.
Overall, these years are an excellent place to start if you’re shopping for a secondhand vehicle. However, it’s crucial to look into a used car’s past. Even a very dependable model that is neglected can result in significant issues for subsequent owners.
Why not purchase a Toyota 4Runner?
1. Low Fuel Efficiency
Any SUV rarely offers outstanding fuel economy, but the Toyota 4Runner does particularly poorly in this area. Its combined fuel efficiency is only 17 miles per gallon. On the interstate, you might get up to 19 miles per gallon at best. Even for cars of this class, this is below average.
2. Unacceptable Ride Quality
Based on a truck basis, the 2021 Toyota 4Runner drives and feels like a truck. The ride might be rough, uncomfortable, or downright unpleasant. In their SUVs, a lot of automakers have made significant improvements. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case with Toyota’s 4Runner.
3. Uncomfortable Entry and Exit
The Toyota 4Runner from 2021 is elevated. With larger SUVs designed with off-road capabilities in mind, this is to be anticipated. The 4Runner’s off-road skills are aided by its considerable ground clearance. Unfortunately, this can make getting in and out of the car a little difficult.
What is better V6 or V8 4Runner?
Politics, religion, and the question of whether the fourth-generation 4runner’s V6 or V8 engine is superior are the three topics that are frequently too divisive to discuss with others. If you have ever spent any time on the 4runner forums online, that is at least how it appears.
The truth is that both the 4.0 V6 and 4.7 V8 engines deliver excellent performance and dependability. While the V8 is smoother and gives more performance, the V6 is more fuel-efficient and needs a little less upkeep. Both are excellent choices; it just depends on how you intend to use your 4Runner.
There are many supporters of both the 1GR V6 and the 2UZ V8, and the majority of them aren’t persuaded that one is equally as good. The truth is that both engines are capable of handling every activity that an SUV might be used for, whether it be commuting, hauling, or off-roading. Both of them are poorer and better at different areas.
I’ll do my best to be as impartial and as informative as I can given that I myself possess a V8. It’s important to note that I’ve personally driven both the V6 and V8 4Runners.
Look at the chart below to see each motor’s advantages before we compare these two fantastic motors in more detail:
Let’s now examine each engine in more detail to see how it stacks up in various scenarios.
Do 4Runners encounter many issues?
The front brake calipers, front brakes, warping concerns, and early wear of the front brake rotor and brake master cylinder have all been reported by numerous owners. Brake issues are common in 4Runners of the fourth generation, particularly in the 20032005 model years.
Is Limited or SR5 superior?
The Limited has five seats, compared to six in the Tundra SR5. The SR5 can tow up to 6,800 lbs., while the Limited can tow up to 10,100 lbs. The Limited has heated leather-trimmed upholstery, while the Tundra SR5 has fabric-trimmed seating.
What does SR5 refer to?
Sport Rally 5 speed is referred to as SR5. Sport, RE (EFI) engine family, and 5 refers to the five-speed transmission in the acronym SR5. The aforementioned response is not entirely accurate, but it is mostly accurate. The term “SR5” typically refers to a specific Toyota trim level with a more aggressive appearance, stronger suspension, and a large range of available options.
Is the 4Runner being discontinued by Toyota?
Learn about the two grades of the Toyota 4Runner that will be replaced in 2022. What happens next, too?
We get a lot of fresh facts about the cars we adore at this time of year.
For the 2022 4Runner model year, anticipate Toyota will discontinue the Nightshade Special Edition and Venture Special Edition.
Toyota intends to swap these out for something altogether different. Something that has not yet been named or identified.
In the upcoming weeks, a formal announcement is anticipated. But for the time being, all we can do is wait and watch.
The transition to a new 4Runner grade the following year excites me, but I also regret seeing Nightshade go. One of my favorite 4Runner trims was this one.
For the 2019 model year, the 4Runner Nightshade was released as a sportier alternative to the 4Runner Limited.
Enjoy this video in which Sierra and I contrast the 4Runner Limited and 4Runner Nightshade.
How far are 4Runners good for?
What if you don’t find a Toyota 4Runner with 200,000 miles on it to be all that impressive? You must have some fairly high standards then. Yet in this instance? Actually, it’s alright. Because the 4Runner is designed to last for more than 200,000 miles, as it turns out. In fact, iSee Cars estimates that only 0.2% of 4Runner vehicles will travel more than 300,000 miles.
How long are 4Runners good for?
The 4Runner continues the tradition of dependability that Toyota vehicles have established. One of the most dependable models from the manufacturer is the Toyota 4Runner, which frequently travels up to 300,000 miles.
The Toyota 4Runner came in at number five out of 16 vehicles in an iSeeCars research headlined “Longest-lasting Cars to Reach 200,000 Miles and Beyond,” with 4.1% of the SUVs achieving over 200,000 miles.
Additionally, the SUV is predicted to travel close to 200,000 miles, as stated by many trustworthy automotive sources and confirmed by owners on well-known enthusiast communities like Toyota 4Runner. They’ll run even longer with good maintenance, and 300,000 is not an outlandish number.
Will all 4Runners eventually travel 200,000 miles? No. The secret to a 4Runner’s long-term survival is routine maintenance. Fortunately, Repair Pal estimates that the 4Runner’s yearly maintenance expenditures are $514 less than the national average.
Can 4Runners handle snow well?
The Toyota 4Runner SUV is generally well-equipped to handle the snow. The vehicle has long been associated with off-road driving. It performs best off-road at its top trims. Winter driving can benefit from features like high ground clearance, traction control, and all-terrain tires. The 4Runner’s inexpensive 4WD immediately makes it a solid choice for the majority of snowy conditions, even though the lowest trims aren’t flawless. The Toyota 4Runner performs well in the snow because of this.
Do 4runners readily flip over?
The NHTSA has given the Toyota 4Runner a 3-star roll-over rating, which is an average grade for a vehicle like the 4Runner. Nevertheless, the 4Runner does flip rather frequently. The 4Runner’s ladder frame construction causes it to sit higher and have a higher center of gravity than many SUVs with unibody construction.
The 4Runner’s greater center of gravity is fantastic for off-road driving, but on city streets, it can make it a little less stable in turns than a vehicle. Since 4Runners are more susceptible to tip than some of the other lower vehicles out there, it is generally a good idea to avoid making abrupt curves with one at a high speed.
The 4Runner is a fantastic midsize SUV that is made to be rugged and capable of driving everywhere. Its truck-like construction does make it more top-heavy, which eventually results in its 3-star rollover rating.
What does a Toyota 4Runner have high mileage?
You might get 300,000 miles out of a Toyota 4Runner. Some drivers desire more, even though a Toyota 4Runner with 200,000 miles on it is amazing.
Can you truly rely on 4Runners?
The fact that the 4Runner has a proven track record of dependability and that Consumer Reports gave the 2020 and 2019 model years flawless marks on its dependability rating should not come as a surprise. Each was given a score of five stars.
The 4Runner is the longest-lasting mid-size SUV on the market, with 3.9 percent of cars crossing the 200,000-mile milestone, per an iSeeCars survey. Additionally, according to the report, 0.2% will endure for more than 300,000 kilometers.
Naturally, this depends on how well you maintain the vehicle. You run the danger of reducing the vehicle’s potentially long lifespan if you skip one or two oil changes.
It’s important to note that J.D. Power has a slightly different opinion, awarding the 2021 Toyota 4Runner a mere 79 out of a possible 100 points for average reliability.
Nevertheless, it is impossible to deny the fact that the 4Runner has seen extremely few safety recalls, especially when examining the most current models. Only three recalls have been made for the 2019 model year: two for incorrect labeling and one for the steering.
Must I purchase a 4th generation 4Runner?
The fourth-generation 4Runners don’t have all the contemporary amenities you’d expect today because they are now pretty dated. In spite of this, the 4Runners continue to be cozy and stylish overall.
The most common and least spectacular trim at the time was the standard SR5. If you go to the Sport Edition, you’ll also get features like a smoked chrome grille, 17-inch six-spoke alloys, and X-REAS suspension.
Upgrades like heated leather seats, dual-zone climate control, and a JBL Synthesis sound system are offered on the top-tier Limited trim. Rear air suspension is standard on 4Runners with V8 engines, and Limited versions built in 2006 and later come with bigger 18-inch six-spoke wheels.
The Urban Runner and Trail Edition 4Runners, which were introduced toward the conclusion of the fourth generation, are today’s most sought-after models.
The Urban Runner was a high-end exterior package that gave the Sport Edition exclusive Alcantara upholstery and certain Limited features.
The standard SR5 received an off-road update with the Trail Edition. According to Canadian Gearhead, it was only available as a 4×4 with a V6 engine and blended the FJ Cruiser’s functionality with the 4Runner’s sophisticated design.
The fourth generation 4Runner’s sleek, uncomplicated appearance is possibly one of its best characteristics. Years later, it still appears timeless. All things considered, the fourth generation 4Runner is a good option if you’re searching for a powerful, dependable, and smart used SUV.
Long-term savings can be achieved by buying a dependable used 4Runner as well as by comparing rates for auto insurance.